SmashMouth

The Saints’ rookie outside linebacker and fifth-round draft choice reflects on his NFL transition, his football idol and his beard:

The Advocate: What is the transition from college football to the NFL like? Does it compare to moving from middle school to high school? Does it compare to moving from high school to college?

Ronald Powell: As far as being the young guy, the small guy on campus, it’s definitely the same. Just like when you get to college, you are the freshman. You’ve got to learn your special teams, you’ve got to learn your role on the team and you’ve got to earn your spot. Nothing is given to you.

TA: Who was your football idol growing up? What parts of that player’s style did you most admire, and why is that?

RP: Bo Jackson. Just because of the physicality he ran the ball with. Just his drive and want-to was big for me. And he played baseball and growing up (Inland Empire in California), I started off playing baseball (left field, center field), so that was a cool thing for me to see.

TA: Is there any pressure on you to grow your beard out like veteran Junior Galette? (Galette’s beard is famous among fans and media for being long and bushy).

RP: You know what? There’s no pressure. If you go back and look at my college photos, I always have a beard. I like to switch mine up. I do one thing, especially during the season. Whatever I feel like.

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